I am a stihl guy so don't question my brand choice. I realize other makes have better machines depending on what you are looking at...but stihl is a one stop shop for me....SO....
Whats the difference between the BR 550 and the BR 500? The bigger one is much cheaper than the smaller one????? Whats with that?
But, which stihl blower is the best one for the money??? Don't want to get over 450 with tax.
Thanks,
mike

stlouis grass cutter

05-05-2011, 03:29 PM

Go to www.stihl.com and compare the models. Easy to find the information, found it in less than two minutes.

GravyTrain

05-05-2011, 03:42 PM

MCC, I was in the same boat you were not too long ago. I was torn between the two models, and even had the 600 on my list. From all I could figure, the 550 was larger and louder and more powerful, which is what I was looking for. If I recall correctly, the 600 was even better than that, but I couldn't bring myself to drop the extra 50-80 dollars for the bigger machine, especially since I was upgrading from the 420. Having had the 550 for 2 years now (I think), I have never questioned my decision.

Save a few bucks, get the 550.

Mikegyver

05-05-2011, 03:42 PM

I know. i compared them and the CHEAPER One has another BHP and blows harder...what gives?
mike

MowingMowingMowing

05-05-2011, 03:43 PM

Buy the 600 Magnum, damn good machine.

Mikegyver

05-05-2011, 04:02 PM

But so expencive....like I said wanted to stay 450 or lower.
mike

rlitman

05-05-2011, 04:12 PM

The BR500 is a special low noise model. I can easily talk with people while it's idling on my back. You can spot the "muffler" on the blower tube for the most visible difference.
As for power, the BR500 is the least powerful in the series (probably because it's limited in RPM's to reduce noise), with the BR600 at the top, and the BR550 somewhere in the middle.

So, if you care about noise (or have restrictive local noise ordinances), then the BR500 is for you. Otherwise, it's not worth the expense.

Around here I can buy a new 600 Magnum for $499 + tax. The difference between a 550 and the 600 where perfomance is concerned is much wider than the difference between the 500 and 550. For $50 more, I'd buy the 600 and never think twice.
I happened to buy a 600 last fall from a local LCO that was going out of business (like so many around here are) for $225. It was only a couple months old (saw the receipt), and looked like it just came out of the store. I love it. It is awesome. I even used it this spring to clean all the gravel and caked down dirt from several yards around here along the road edge where the county jerks had blasted literally a ton of road gravel onto everyone's yards. Got everything out, even some pretty large stones with no problem. Beats the snot out of raking.

The numbers between the 550 and 600 don't really lead you to think that its worth the extra cash but after using both I would spend the extra and get a 600 magnum.

944own

05-06-2011, 12:00 AM

get the 600 the 550 is a POS compared to the 600 I have both.

LaLawnGuy

05-06-2011, 12:22 AM

get the 600 the 550 is a POS compared to the 600 I have both.

Ditto.
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Mikegyver

05-06-2011, 12:30 AM

Thanks all..what I needed to know...
Here is where I would be getting it from- http://www.stihldealer.net/categoryproducts-dealer-_aeaada-toplvl-9-catid-9-subcat-9-catprods-52.aspx
The 600 is 500 plus tax...over budget for me as I am smallish (up to 10 residencial, one small commercial and one large commercial account).

mike

LaLawnGuy

05-06-2011, 12:32 AM

If u plan on doing leaf cleanups, suck it up and buy the 600 now.
Posted via Mobile Device

travski

05-06-2011, 12:45 AM

I bought an BR600 this spring for some nasty spring clean ups. I am constantly watching my bottom line so I can understand where you are coming from, however if you are going to spend $450 why not spend $50 more and buy the absolute best?

It all boils down to air volume. The BR600 will move some serious debris. Work smarter. not harder.

knox gsl

05-06-2011, 12:48 AM

I bought an BR600 this spring for some nasty spring clean ups. I am constantly watching my bottom line so I can understand where you are coming from, however if you are going to spend $450 why not spend $50 more and buy the absolute best?

It all boils down to air volume. The BR600 will move some serious debris. Work smarter. not harder.

very true.

Ridin' Green

05-06-2011, 01:10 AM

.............and don't just look at the air velocity numbers, since they are near as important as the air volume numbers are.

LaLawnGuy

05-06-2011, 07:20 AM

If you're sure you want a 550, I'm in the Toledo Bend area and have a 1 yr old 550 I'd sell for 300. PM me or call 318 five54 967five. Jim

lawnboy dan

05-06-2011, 08:42 PM

do yourself a big favor and get the br420

Mikegyver

05-07-2011, 12:31 PM

Why the BR420? Its not exactly the biggest one?
Mike

Eischeid

05-07-2011, 03:51 PM

Posted via Mobile Device

Mikegyver

05-07-2011, 11:21 PM

So whats the deal with the BR 420???
Mike

cpllawncare

05-07-2011, 11:42 PM

I recently bought a BR380, cause like you I'm still small and have to watch every penny I spend, but this might have been a mistake. I'm not real impressed, but I was in a crunch my old hand held died on me.

sdk1959

05-08-2011, 12:14 AM

Here is a link to a good comparison chart with reviews for each model listed.

I have the Makita 4-stroke BBX7600 backpack blower and also own the handheld Makita 4-stroke BHX2500 blower. Extremely happy with both of them. They have excellent power, very reliable, good on gas, lower fuel cost since no synthetic oil premix is needed adding another $1.00 or more per gallon to already too high gas prices.:dizzy:

Good luck in your decision.:)

http://www.the-lawn-advisor.com/Makita-Blower.html

lawnboy dan

05-08-2011, 10:00 AM

the br420 is time proven 2cycle technology while the br600-500 is new technology thats full of bugs -recalls -warranty claims etc. the br420-380 is one product still got right. the br 600-500 is way more powerfull but dont trust one as your only blower as something is likely to go wrong.

sdk1959

05-08-2011, 07:11 PM

the br420 is time proven 2cycle technology while the br600-500 is new technology thats full of bugs -recalls -warranty claims etc. the br420-380 is one product still got right. the br 600-500 is way more powerfull but dont trust one as your only blower as something is likely to go wrong.

I agree. Both 2-stroke and 4-stroke are time proven technology. This hybrid 2-stroke/4-stroke engine design I was never sold on. Engines should be one or the other, not a little of both.

Mikegyver

05-08-2011, 08:11 PM

Oh so the older ones are 2 cycle...you have me sold!
mike

Mac B.

05-08-2011, 11:04 PM

I just sold my 600 for $375 on CL and went and bought a 420 Mag with a 4 year warranty for $400 out the door. I thought I had made a mistake with the power output but with a couple of tanks through it now it is starting to come on with power. Is it as strong as the 600, no but it will be here 20 years from now. I had heard too many things about the 600 cams being plastic and fuel problems and that is the reason I sold mine.

Mac

Mikegyver

05-09-2011, 09:12 AM

Ya but the difference is like 200 CFMs...how does it do on leaf jobs?
mike

lawnboy dan

05-09-2011, 09:35 AM

back in the mid 90,s-i bought a used br400. its still my everyday blower today!

LiveGreenLawn

05-09-2011, 10:22 AM

Does stihl give you 4 years of commercial warranty??
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Mac B.

05-09-2011, 05:31 PM

I think as long as you buy the HP ultra oil they will.

Mac

LiveGreenLawn

05-09-2011, 05:32 PM

I did not fare the advertisement up any more at retail store
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Mikegyver

05-15-2011, 07:15 PM

Question....is it just the 4mix on the blowers that is a issue? I run a 4mix fs130....its the best trimmer ever....
mike

jricker

05-16-2011, 08:54 PM

i bought into the four mix hype and regret it. km 110 fs 110 br 600. dont really like any of them especially the br 600. six other guys i know have br 600s and only one actually likes his. i will never by a hybrid again. lesson learned.im switching over to echo.

weeze

05-16-2011, 10:45 PM

i love my br600 magnum...what problems do you have with it?

Ridin' Green

05-17-2011, 12:52 AM

i love my br600 magnum...what problems do you have with it?

Same here. I have to wonder if half of the time people simply don't like something because they veiw them as a tool and nothing more, and don't take proper care of them.
So far, my BR600 is the ne plus ultra IMO. Starts after sitting all winter on the first pull. Same thing warm or cold.

jricker

05-17-2011, 08:00 AM

gold cert. tech could not get the thing to run at 7200 rpm which is where it needs to be to develop its max power. many guys dont even realize their blowers arent running right. i take great care of my equipment. run 89 octane and syn. oil. long story short stihl finally took it back and basically put the magnum engine on it with no real explanation what was wrong. much better now yes but while it was gone i bought an echo pb 770 and will never look back!

Mikegyver

05-17-2011, 09:22 AM

The only thing my dealer will sell me is the 600...won't even sell me the 420.
mike

chris@perfectlawncare

05-17-2011, 01:25 PM

i love my br600 magnum...what problems do you have with it?

I love my fs110. Took a little bit to get used to the sound, but it really is powerful
I am not very happy with stihl's string head... they're very moody. I have the br380 and I've been happy with it as well. Just don't flood it...
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cpllawncare

05-17-2011, 03:07 PM

I love my fs110. Took a little bit to get used to the sound, but it really is powerful
I am not very happy with stihl's string head... they're very moody. I have the br380 and I've been happy with it as well. Just don't flood it...
Posted via Mobile Device

My 380 is easy to flood as well, LOL

Classic Cuts Lawn Service

05-17-2011, 06:43 PM

I don't know what the difference is but my BR 500 always runs well and is pretty quiet.